HK pro-independence activists could trigger legal battle with China

The emergence of a new generation of activists seeking independence for Hong Kong could trigger a legal battle with China that undermines the independence of its judiciary, senior government, legal and diplomatic officials warn.

Student leader Nathan Law (C) celebrates on the podium after his win in the Legislative Council election in Hong Kong, China September 5, 2016. REUTERS/Bobby Yip/File Photo

Six activists who support a much greater degree of self- determination for Hong Kong are poised to enter Hong Kong’s 70-seat Legislative Council (LegCo) after one in five voters backed so-called localists and young democrats in polls this month.

The former British colony returned to China in 1997, when Beijing signed agreements granting it extensive autonomy, an independent judiciary and rule of law for at least 50 years, but Hong Kong’s younger generation has grown increasingly angry over stalled democratic progress and skeptical of China’s commitment to local freedoms.

Now some top-level government and judicial officials fear a direct legal intervention to challenge legislators’ rights even to mention independence. Read More